This past Saturday and Sunday on KU Field, Relay for Life brought together an estimated 500 people affected by cancer who are striving for a cure. They raised more than $64,000.

UD's Colleges Against Cancer president, Miles Schermerhorn, has a personal motivation to make the CAC-sponsored Relay for Life one of the largest events on campus.

'I mostly got involved because my mom had cancer,' said Schermerhorn. 'And I did a lot of cancer research, so it kind of takes up my whole life in a way. It was the one thing coming to UD that I knew I would be involved in.'

Many others on campus also have personal reasons to be involved in Relay and raise money to help their family members and friends who currently or someday could have cancer.

Fundraisers on location included selling baked goods, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, jewelry and T-shirts.

'We have Kisses for a Cure where we're selling Hershey Kisses for $1,' said Grace Strzelczyk, team Zeta Tau Alpha member.

Participants raised money prior to Relay for Life by asking for personal donations or company donations.

'We did a lot just with asking for monetary donations. KU actually donated everything we're selling,' said Jenna Plumb, Relay participant. 'They probably gave us 80 different things of fruit and we've sold 60 or 70 grilled cheese they donated.'

Jamie Baker, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006 only to overcome the disease, has raised money by selling her cookbook, 'A Taste of Hope,' which includes the story of her fight with cancer along with 200 recipes. According the Relay Web site, Baker made nearly $3,500 from selling her cookbook alone. All the proceeds went to Relay.

Team Phi Kappa Psi raised the most money before the event, receiving $12,385. To fundraise, they held events such as Pub Night and a sausage cookout.

So what goes on at Relay for Life?

According to Schermerhorn, the idea is to have at least one person walking around the track from each team the entire night.

'There are themed laps and there's usually something going on on stage or a competition in the grassy area,' he said.

There is a stage to hold events such as Family Feud, UD Improv Club and a performance by Julie Roth.

On the grassy area, activities like the cucumber race and Roxanne take place.

The cucumber race is a relay race in which a greased cucumber is put between the legs of a team member who has to run to a line across the grass and back. That team member then has to pass of the cucumber to another team member without using their hands.

'My favorite's probably Roxanne,' said Schermerhorn. 'They play the song 'Roxanne' by the Police and every time he says 'red light' you have to drink this red juice. Every time he says 'Roxanne' you have to put a marshmallow in your mouth.'

Luminaria is the most reflective time of Relay. At 9 p.m., all teams turned down their lights. Candles in bags that line the track are lit. Some have names written on them in remembrance. For 30 minutes, all participants take the time to reflect on the memories of their loved ones who are battling or have been lost due to cancer.

While participants loves the Luminaria ceremony, other moments of Relay for Life touch them just as much.

'My favorite part is the first lap where the survivors and caregivers walk because it's really cool to see,' said Baker.

'My favorite part is meeting everybody because everyone is super-friendly,' said Strzelczyk. 'It's nice to talk to people from different organizations. Everyone's no nice and welcoming.'

Relay for Life was a success in raising money and hope for cancer. Despite the weather, participants showed each other how much they care about finding a cure.